A WINCHESTER hotel took home second prize at a prestigious awards event last week.

Marwell Hotel, in Colden Common, was awarded silver for the Business Tourism category at this year’s Beautiful South Awards on Wednesday (November 27).

Charlotte Troester, business development manager at the hotel, said at the event: “We are so excited to be here tonight and to win silver within our category. Over the past year, the conferencing and business aspect of our hotel has seen some fantastic improvements and it is so rewarding to see this recognised.”

Nominees in the Business Tourism category also included Blenheim Palace, Macdonald Windsor Hotel and Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

The ceremony was hosted by Tourism South East chairman, Ken Robinson CBE and travel journalist and broadcaster Alison Rice.

Mr Robinson said: “It is great to see such excellence rewarded. These 2013 Beautiful South Awards represent the culmination of hard work and dedication by the best tourism professionals, in our best tourism businesses, that have been recognised for providing such outstanding customer experiences.”